Association of environmental exposome and cognitive function among older adults with and without preclinical
Kenan Li1, Enbal Shacham2, David Brown3
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Introduction:
Sociodemographic predictors are established risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a leading cause of cognitive decline. This study examines the influence of environmental exposures like walkability, green space, and light pollution among older adults.
Methods:
Cross-sectional analysis examined associations between walkability, green space, tree canopy, light pollution, and cognitive functioning among participants with and without preclinical AD based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) assessed their impact on cognitive performance, controlling for sex and race as categorical covariates, with age and education included as continuous variables modeled using smooth functions.
Results:
Walkability, green space, and tree canopy were significantly associated with better cognitive performance, while light pollution negatively impacted cognition. Biomarker positivity was not a significant predictor.
Discussion:
Our findings highlight the crucial role of environmental exposures on cognition, suggesting that urban design and environmental quality influence cognitive trajectories in older adults, regardless of biomarker status.
Highlights:
Walkability, green space, and tree canopy improve cognitive performance. Light pollution is linked to lower cognitive function in older adults. Biomarker positivity was not a significant predictor of cognitive outcomes. Urban design plays a key role in cognitive health and Alzheimer's risk.
More Related Videos
06:58Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
06:23The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence
